Two days into my Yellowknife Vacation and I have felt so much love and support. There have been deep conversations with friends, laughter, and moments of intense creativity.
Last year I worked with Erykah on two creative portraiture projects, one was regarding Mother Earth and the second was a Levitation portrait.
Erykah is a true creative, she is an exceptional nail tech, Jagua designer, dancer, and model. Not only was it a joy to photograph her in the heart of Yellowknife overlooking Frame Lake, but it was refreshing to reconnect and spend some quality time together.
I brought my bolt of tule and lace with me in my carry on and I fashioned a dress from a white bed sheet and used the tule to create shape and an ethereal movement to the fabric as well. It’s creative sessions like these that revive me as an artist.
Melissa is a fabulous hairstylist at Ambience Salon (Garrison Crossing), owned by two very dear friends of mine Sue and Roland. Melissa has cut and dyed my hair a couple times and every time we’d talk about everything under the stars, including her boyfriend, Dennis.
After four years together, Dennis proposed to Melissa.
Melissa was beside herself excited, with a gorgeous ring on her hand and a loving man by her side what she needed now was a photographer. Melissa was quick to start searching and her Facebook post had a plethora of photographers names being submitted for her consideration, but her boss (as well as another client) told her I would be perfect for her. I was so excited when she contacted me about doing her engagement session. I’m in love with all of their pictures and look forward to their wedding.
Renee is someone I have known since she was a little girl, this Christmas she contacted me about wanting to do something special for her boyfriend Oscar. Renee wanted him to have pictures done with his daughter. It’s a small world because I knew Oscar briefly through my old manager, so it was quite fun to shoot the two on the day of.
I am a daddy’s girl myself and this session meant a lot to me for that very reason. Oscar and his little girl have a contagious smile they both share in common. The connection they have is unwavering and it is quite visible that she adores her daddy through and through.
Justin and Heidi welcomed their adorable little boy into world Sept 22nd. Noah is by far one of the sweetest little baby boys I have ever met with those big blue eyes and sweeping smile. Congrats again to such a sweet couple, Noah is blessed to have such loving parents.
The Dyck family called me for family photos a year ago, and a few weeks ago we declared it to be an annual tradition. After a gorgeous fall Sunday morning we met up for the 2nd annual family photo session. The sun came out, the rain held off, and after we all went out for sushi… A tradition I love.
Michelle and I met through a model page on Facebook and met up for the first time for a very forward shoot… I like to call it my Tim Burton session.
Since then I have worked with her at Galaxy Cinema’s and she’s changed her hairstyles multiple times (but then again, so have I) … So this session is definitely different from the last. Michelle you are so much fun to shoot, stay fierce and enjoy!
Jason & Divine have been together for 6 years, and this Thanksgiving they announced their engagement to the entire family. I cant wait to see them promise forever to each other. Jason is the son of my late uncle Ken, much like his father he isn’t too big on romantic mushiness… but Divine gave that lovely little smile and he was all game! CONGRATS YOU TWO LOVELIES!
Months ago Ian had asked if i’d consider visiting him out in Alberta for the first week of October. So I started budgeting for the trip, asked for time off, and had plans set to go do some really fun things, like visting an aviation museum and going to see Drumheller.
It was now 4 weeks before my trip, and I was uncertain if his side of the plans were all set with work. There was some uncertainty that he could get the time off so I made the decision to postpone the trip.
Not even a day or two after the tough decision to cancel my plans I got a text from Ian.
“So my boss is giving me a week off before this 40 day job in Saskatchewan”
I asked if he was going to take some time to go biking up the back trails or visit family in Edmonton; instead he surprised me! He asked if my boss would let me transfer my week off to that next week (only 3 days away), I was doubtful that that short of notice would be accepted. To my surprise my manager understood how much I missed my man, and how this was such a delightful surprise.
The next thing I knew, he was driving down the following day. With his Instamapper on, and my computer at work showing a little red tracker moving ever closer to Chilliwack, I was beyond elated to see him.
The weekend was a lot of prep and packing for the trip. The first moment I saw him on Friday afternoon I met him with a kiss (I missed his handsome face). Saturday we got his car worked on and headed down to ship happens to pick up a memory card I had been waiting on for more than a month.
Saturday afternoon the weather was positively gorgeous, the sun was warm in the sky and dancing along the lines of the mountains.
I was beside myself with how cool it was that my boyfriend came down to see me, to spend time with me. I felt so valued to have the man I love go out of his way and plan an exciting fishing trip week away.
I absolutely adore the shot above ^
THEN WE LEFT!!!!
While on the Ferry Ian played on his computer, mastering the Kerbal Space Program (trying to make a spacecraft that doesn’t crash within the first minute of flight). I whipped out my Art History textbook and iPad, taking notes on the Egyptian Era. We were such a couple it wasn’t even funny, doing things apart but together. When my brain was done studying I sat beside him and we watched “The Art of Flight” a snowboarding documentary that Red Bull sponsors, a must see just for the Cinematography alone. Ian spoiled us with a piece of rich chocolate cake and strawberry sauce to compliment it.
^ Can I just say now how gorgeous the docks are in Campbell river. I had never been before and when I pointed out the window Ian immediately pulled over so I could take some pictures. Whilst I took some shots Ian put his GoPro on my monopod and filmed us walking around and enjoying the views.
^ The GoPro made a few appearances on this trip, more then once. Ian filmed the drive as well as the boating and everything in between, I REALLY cant wait to see the finished product from the trip.
^ Every once and a while Ian likes to get an unconventional shot with the GoPro, this time he submerged it in the water (dont worry its completely waterproof, but when your done you have to wash the salt water off the device).
^ The drive into Tahsis is really a stunning sight, this was before we hit Gold River, after that the road goes to gravel for awhile.
Ian prepped the GoPro’s for the drive… Like I said I cant wait to see the videos!
^ When we rounded a corner I saw a view that took my breath away…. STUNNING, we got out of the car and took pictures, and im quite certain the GoPro mounted on the windshield stole a shot of a kiss 🙂
True story… me and my man are dangerously silly. The fact that he embraces it and joins in makes me smile!
And then when I did the “Chubby” face he joined in!!!
After Mr.Handyman got the boat ready I backed up the boat into the water.
^ Before going out on the sea we had to wash and clean the exterior of the boat, scrubbing it down with dish soap, and then I hid inside while Ian washed it all off. I couldn’t wait to hit the open sea!
^ MY ALL TIME FAVORITE SHOT OF THE ENTIRE WEEK!!!!
The second day we were there we took a trip out to just sight see, no fishing, just enjoying the beautiful coast.
^ Above is a place Ian showed me, it is a little cove (I think) and Ian pointed out it would be a great place to go camping ( the kind of camping where you dont have electricity, and you have to make your own fire with things you find in the forest).
The next day wasn’t nearly as pretty, a low fog hung over the water. That didn’t stop us… IT was a early morning, and when I came down to the dock there were at least 10 seals just bobbing their heads above the water looking at us!
^ I had grown up fishing with my Uncles and Grandpa’s but this sort of fishing was very different… including down riggers, cannon balls, and real fish bait. I like to think I caught on quickly but you’d have to ask Ian that.
^ Granted the fish was severely ugly… but it was ours, and we gutted and cooked it!
The next day the fog was was impossibly low, and until it lifted Ian decided to take me to the shooting range. He is soo cool!
^ Once and a while you just gotta put down your big ol camera, and whip out your phone… I LOVE THAT FACE!
After finishing at the range we noticed the fog lifted enough to go out on the water… Ian drove out to Center Island and Ian tried to fix our GPS.
^ Ian got a kick out of taking a picture of me getting frustrated while trying to back up the trailer.
The drive home though was a stunning morning… SOOOOO beautiful and I was in charge of the music playlist, so it went very well with the view.
^ This guy makes me smile so much… and I cant believe how special he made me feel by organizing an entire week to just have fun as a couple. I was equally blessed when we got back to the mainland and his boss called to tell him he had an additional week off, which meant I got to spend that much more time with him… I ADORE THIS MAN!
Thank you , you’re are my best friend!
And just the cutest little treat I found in house… hee hee soooooo cute!!!
Nina Lilly is an aspiring model and photographer in town that I met through networking with local models. She enjoy’s being infront of the camera just as much as being behind the lens. Nina also has a knack for designing her own clothes, so when she wanted to do a bit of a rocker/rebel styled shoot I was more then game. Note the cool vest she made out of an old shirt that she cut up and fashioned into a skull face.
I’ve been drooling over a 50mm for a while and today I made the big purchase. (going to geek out here) It goes all the way down to 1.4 f/stop and makes this insane bokeh to an image. And in my opinion adds a ton of romance to shot. Aside from having a shallow depth of field it has great low light capabilities, which means I can be in a situation where there is very little light and I can still get a quality pristine image.
Lets just say im super excited to shoot my next wedding!!!
Today after work me and my friend/co-worker Melissa went out to test the lens. Quite quickly I fell in love with the lens, there really is no going back. I sense a very expensive shopping list for lenses in the future.
Welcome to the depth and romance of a Sigma 50mm 1.4.